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Sooooo now we know the draws for the next round of the SFC how does everyone see it playing out? Before anyone says it I'm aware there is a separate forum for champ predictions lol Just getting the debate going here...

I think Burren v the Town is a non contest, Burren to have that wrapped up by half time I think, be surprised if they don't win by 10 or more, might be a good chance for them to try some younger players and blood them in like Danny Magill etc. They need to find a different player or two to break in to the starting 15 and challenge the Magpies this year. Fancy Carryduff to beat RGU in a very tight game, actually thought RGU would have been too strong for the reds and came up short in the last round and maybe that will have taken the wind out of the sails a bit, Carryduff by 1 for me. Loughinisland to beat DC by at least 7/8, shocked at their first result tbh and think there'll be a big reaction to that result. Mayobridge to edge out a gutsy Glenn side by 4/5 I think Bridge fitness will take them through at the end of a tight enough affair.

On the winners side, Think Clonduff will push on and have been really impressive over the last two seasons under new management, look to have the bit between the teeth now and not the pushovers they sued to be. Clonduff to beat Ford by 2 (Probably another Septic Stevey display...can see that one being a snoozefest with The yellows winning out just....). Longstone Ballyholland is a great draw for both teams, giving a real opportunity to a lesser fancied team to reach the latter stages of the competition. Fancy the Harps to win this one by 5/6, they have too much quality up front for the Stone IMO. Think if Rushe or Loughran show up at all they should win with a few to spare. Rostrevor will beat Bredagh easy IMO, have seen the reds a fair bit over the last couple of years too and think if they had the real hunger and ambition of previous Rostrevor sides they could challenge anyone on their day. Maybe this year will be too much of a stretch for them to beat the 'Big Three' atm in Burren, CPN and Kilcoo...even think maybe they'd struggle against the Bridge. Rostrevor to win by 8 if Mooney plays well.

The standout fixture once again involves Warrenpoint in the repeat of the 2019 final...This will be a massive test for CPN and maybe the high of beating their nearest and dearest on Sunday will take its toll but that being said, if they can't get motivated to beat the Ulster Champs then there is something seriously wrong. I can't quite call this fixture, Magpies are the absolute masters of tactics and will slow the game and grind it out I think by 2/3pts...If Warrenpoint stand any chance of reversing last year's result they absolutely need to take their goal chances this time around. They create so many scoring opportunities but aren't efficient enough. If Lavery and the Johnstons are on their game I see Kilcoo winning it but if the point can nullify that threat they stand a real chance as they have the better team going forward I believe. Kilcoo won't be worried about the result either way as I've seen them get knocked out by the mighty Burren in Round 2 before and come back stronger through the Back door. Either way it's a great game to look forward to for us all.

Looking forward to seeing our County Champs again as haven't seen them since the final last year. The county board will be delighted with that draw anyways, as will PaircTV I'd imagine

Roll On the weekend!!!! 

Some game last night, brilliant to finally see two teams go toe-to-toe and just let the football do the talking-It's restored some of my faith in our game. It was exactly what was needed after that Glenn-Ford game earlier in the day. Thought the two teams spent the first half sussing each other out, probably because they haven't played each other in championship football in almost 15yrs. Thought Burren started by far the better side and after going 3pts up in the first 5mins, it looked to me like it was going to be one way traffic but the point weathered the storm well. I think there is real character in that Warrenpoint side, got to see a lot of them over the last few years and been impressed at their bouncebackability (is that still a word?). For me, Paddy Murdock, Ryan Boyle and Ciaran McCartan the pick of the players for them. Also Young McCormack and no.7 (Ryan Magee I think) did a lot of the unnoticed work, for me they were the point's two most underrated performers last night. Davidson was poor enough I thought, showed glimpses of his former self but doesn't look fit. Their squad strength showed when (for the first time that I can see) CPN had a few substitutes who can come on and genuinely influence the game.

For Burren I thought In the first 10mins McKernan went well and tried to drive the team on and lead from the front, he scored the first point and gave a massive roar afterwards and could tell he was trying to G the younger lads up, still a leader for Burren. Thought Liam Kerr was spectacular, it was a definite black card for him in the second half but other than that he was electric-a joy to watch. Cathal Foy wasn't as effective as he can be, nor was young Fegan (Stevy?) but those lads still look a bit rusty and will benefit from the game time last night. Young McGrath in half forward was well shackled, had a very very quiet game. I was surprised big Ryan Treanor didn't start the game, to add some physicality inside for the long ball that Burren were trying to use. Ryan McAleenan did a sterling job on O'Hare, thought he was really really poor by his lofty standards-think more a testament to the tenacity of the point half backs and midfield to cut off supply in to him. I think there's a lot more to come from this Burren side and would bet my life they'll be in the mix come semi final/final time. They may well take the back door run as an opportunity to build momentum and progress that way-Kilcoo have done that effectively in the past.

What are the thoughts on tonight's fixture? Fancy Carryduff to overturn the result from this fixture last year to win by 1 against Clonduff. Hoping for a really big clash in both pots of the next round, the dream scenario for me would be:

Burren vs Bridge
Kilcoo vs CPN
Loughinisland vs RGU

An opportunity for what exactly? To prolong a draw unnecessarily telling us news we already know?

Maybe it's just me is more interested in the outcome, than the actual process, Downjim.


The county board officials are neither actors nor performers. They don't put on a show and with the greatest respect to them (for it's true even at the highest rung of county GAA draws) they look stiff and worried during live draws.

You can talk about transparency, and you do have a point. But there'll be talk of heated balls all the way from Moygannon to Grinan today. Mainly because like in actual GAA matches, everyone seems to think it's a f**king conspiracy against them unless things pan out exactly as they want.

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Don't think there'll be any talk of conspiracy on that draw...Burren and Point will have wanted that draw and will be chomping at the bit I'd imagine. No chat of conspiracy when it 'panned out' exactly as they wanted against the harps last year for all that...

Good win for Kilcoo again. Becoming a common theme where they just seem to grind out results. I actually thought both teams were very evenly matched. Both teams created two big goal chances each and Kilcoo were able to take one of them and that little bit of composure was all that separated the teams. If McGarry had scored the fisted chance then the story would've been very different IMO. That being said, no matter which team lost, the other would've gone home ruing massive chances missed.

Thought CPN were forced in to a tentative game plan, all credit to Kilcoo as that's what they are best at. Open game of football would never have suited them and their game plan was carried out to perfection. To a man, they all did their job and hats off to them as county champions again. Warrenpoint proved a lot of people wrong and they weren't there to make up numbers, it's been good to see a fresh team play some attractive football, albeit that wasn't in the final. Kilcoo worthy winners!!


In terms of county additions, McCourt and McMahon look the best two keepers behind Rory Burns currently. I'd also have Patrick Murdock, Cormac McCartan and John Boyle (best player I've seen this year by a long stretch) from Warrenpoint. Daryl and Aaron Brannigan, alongside Dylan Ward maybe the best of the Kilcoo players on Sunday. Paddy Tally won't be overly excited from what he's seen this year I wouldn't think :/

Said it before and say it again. Yewtree is a Burren person and does nothing but talk about other clubs...😕

Last caress I was at the CPN Kilcoo game you're referring to and that did happen. What I will say is that Kilcoo players (two of the 5/6 incidents caught on video) were Judas pinching point players throughout. Not going to name players on this forum as it's not appropriate to do so, but the usual suspects at it for kilcoo the whole night. That being said the supporter who jumped the wire was way out of line too tbf. Think there's been a history of rows between those two teams and Kilcoo supporters and bench flooded the field last year when they went to Moygannon on two separate occasions. Not sticking up for either club btw but main point was that Yewtree is from Burren😂😂This is from a mourne man living in exile in the point!!

Couple of big weeks ahead in the season...What's everyone's predictions for Saturday's games? Lots of permutations possible...

Rostrevor v Mayobridge-Surely Mayobridge will win that against a Rostrevor side that have obviously packed up tools for the year
Downpatrick v Bryansford-Both need to win, think Bryansford will win in a close game
Castlewellan v CPN-Castlewellan to beat the point handy, point surely bubble wrapping players over the next 10days
Ballyholland v Burren-Harps to win by 4...Burren have given up the ghost too, apparently they aren't training or anything.

Think if those results go to plan, that means RGU go down and Castlewellan would play Ballyholland in a Playoff? Would be good value for the neutrals if Harps and Hoops played out a relegation decider...If Downpatrick beat the Ford and those other results go as predicted, am I right in saying that would leave Castlewellan straight down and RGU playing Bryansford in a relegation playoff?


Are the point and Mayobridge safe enough no matter what? Head hurts looking at that league table... 

Diff  Pts
6   Cumann Pheadair Naofa        9   18
7   Mayobridge                         -3   16
8   Bryansford                          -23  16
9   Ballyholland                        -49  16
10   RGU Downpatrick              -58   12
11   Castlewellan                     -54   11

I'm presuming the tie-breaker is score difference.

If Bryansford and Ballyholland get a better result than 'Bridge, 'Bridge will end up in playoff as they are all on same points.  The score diff means that 3 wins would probably put Ballyholland in playoff.

If CPN lose by 9 say, and bridge win by 4, 'Ford win by 24 and Harps win by 50, then CPN in playoff 

So the point aren't safe...? Nervy times on the seaside...lol Haven't seen much of Ford or RGU this year...who wins that one? Can see Cwellan, Bridge and Ballyholland winning...just don't know anything about RGU or Ford. Thoughts?

Couple of big weeks ahead in the season...What's everyone's predictions for Saturday's games? Lots of permutations possible...

Rostrevor v Mayobridge-Surely Mayobridge will win that against a Rostrevor side that have obviously packed up tools for the year
Downpatrick v Bryansford-Both need to win, think Bryansford will win in a close game
Castlewellan v CPN-Castlewellan to beat the point handy, point surely bubble wrapping players over the next 10days
Ballyholland v Burren-Harps to win by 4...Burren have given up the ghost too, apparently they aren't training or anything.

Think if those results go to plan, that means RGU go down and Castlewellan would play Ballyholland in a Playoff? Would be good value for the neutrals if Harps and Hoops played out a relegation decider...If Downpatrick beat the Ford and those other results go as predicted, am I right in saying that would leave Castlewellan straight down and RGU playing Bryansford in a relegation playoff?


Are the point and Mayobridge safe enough no matter what? Head hurts looking at that league table... 

It would probably be better if a man went out and actually went toe to toe with his opposite number in a contest of ability, skill and wits without having to resort to crap.
Good players dont need resort to nonsense, its usually the tubes you see running about like headless chickens. You can be sure that the guy spends his time cheap digging, sledging and late hitting is technically inferior to his opponent. For instance Ballyholland no6 spent most of the game on Friday throwing shapes. If id been him i would took one look at the scoreboard and kept my head down and said nowt.

Ballyholland were disappointing by their own standards, and very un-Ballyholland like. They left a raft of room in front of McGarry & co to operate in untouched for large parts and when Point built up that lead they never relented. The sweeper or men back didnt affect the game as much as ive seen them do previously. Even when Point got ahead of steam i was surprised Ballyholland didnt shut the gate for a period just to regain composure. In a year when the standard looked as poor as ever they probably maxed out at getting to a semi and im sure avoiding relegation is the ultimate aim.

You have to give the Point credit though in how they played. Pace, power and mobility across all lines and key players performed, though id doubt if they could replicate that again with nearly 1-15 on song. Kilcoo will set out to do a job on Boyle such is his influence, similarly to how he had the physicality to handle Murphy's threat. McGarry wont score a hatful against the Brannigans but id still expect him to weigh in with scores. The Point's strength is actually their defence and how interchangeable it is with quality footballers across the lines, they seem to be able to handle most threats. If memory serves me the two teams played out a fiercely fought contest in the semis last year and it looked finely balanced until the sending off of Point Capt.
Kilcoo will want to put them in their place and show that Burren winning last year was a blip..whereas Point will want to prove they have the mettle required to back up their chat.
Dont rule out the draw folks.

The most sensible post I've seen on this thread in about 18 months...mine included lol I've called the draw too, think it will be won by CPN in the replay...Kilcoo aren't as good as they were last year and the point seem better...Bridge and Burren will be kicking themselves...it was a year anyone of the big four could've won it

A strong Referee will be required if we are to come out on top. On Friday Night Paul Falloon blatantly ignored three or four off the ball incidents that would have seen Ballyholland punished.

Kilcoo will be well aware of The Point's main threats and will do whatever it takes to nulify them. If the Referee allows them to hold, drag and foul it will undoubtedly curtail our running game. However if he Referees the game based on the laws of the game then I honestly think bar a seriously poor display, we will have too much for Kilcoo.

Aw now Guevara, I was at the game with a number of Point people who I'm friendly with and all of them would tell you Paul Falloon was very good the other night and didn't help Ballyholland in the slightest. Thought he did the game very fairly and was a very decent display of referring IMO. Tiarnan Rushe should've been black carded first half but that was the linesman (Darren O'Hare I believe) who should've called that, not Falloon. Other than that there was very little he got wrong...

Kilcoo seem to have most of the referees on their side this last six or seven years...most of whom are doing in house games for them. Adrian Sharvin probably get the final. Surely Ciaran Brannigan can't get the final?

Bit of an anti-climax of a weekend at those games. CPN were seriously impressive and are still the best team I've seen in this year's championship to date. That being said, Ballyholland never ever got going and some of their younger players looked like the occasion got the better of them. After 15mins the game was dead and buried but it's the first year I've seen a point team put their opponents to the sword. Kept going for 60mins and have pace, power and skill all over the pitch. 1-15 I haven't seen too many weak links, not sure what they have to bring off the bench which would be my main concern if I was a point man. Still, looks promising for them based on what I've seen.

Kilcoo and Clonduff was a very poor spectacle, Clonduff never looked like they believed they could win that match. Even when they went two up in the second half, they retreated and invited pressure on from the Magpies. Kilcoo see to have a mental edge over some teams in the county which is worth three or four points in itself. They never got out of 2nd or 3rd gear and have a lot more to offer which is promising for them. I don't think we've seen the best of the All blacks yet but they don't look like the team they were a few years ago. Conor Lavery was instrumental and thought Eugene Brannigan was very busy as always. IMO Clonduff made a mistake putting Darren on Lavery, DOH is their best player and leader but didn't bring any of that to the table on Saturday eve.

I genuinely think we're in for a cracking final, CPN will fear no one and rightly so. Kilcoo will have done their homework but I think this is a 50/50 game based on who takes their chances on the day and a big factor will be the man in the middle-a strong ref will suit CPN, I think Kilcoo have benefitted from some soft refereeing in the past with regards to the dark arts and diving etc. I don't see either team running away with it, going to say this game will end in a draw. CPN to win it in the replay for me.

Any word or thoughts on who is referring the final? As a neutral, I'm very much looking forward to this one...unknown quantity vrs a mammoth team of the last decade...lots to be excited about in 2wks!!

For the love of Christ can people please stop engaging with Yewtree and hopefully he will just fade in to the darkness...  

Watched a lot of club championship football this year and it's been very hard to say anyone has impressed. The 'Big guns' (Burren and Kilcoo) have been far from their best. Rostrevor could've beaten Kilcoo and that was without Mooney...Burren should've been beaten by Castlewellan and struggled against Rostrevor 2nds team but still could (should) have had a semi final to look forward to...Mayobridge will feel like they've missed a massive opportunity-nothing against Ballyholland but the Bridge will feel like they let one slip, as they'd have fancied their chances against CPN in the Semis. Without doubt CPN have quality (best performance from any team in the competition when they played against Clonduff IMO) but I don't know that they want it as much as other teams, feel like they could blow a team out of the water but if it's really put up to them I'm not sure they have the fire in the belly. Genuinely can't see Clonduff beating Kilcoo, think there will be 6 or 7pts in that one. Ballyholland will massively fancy their chances of beating point, That's the draw they'd have wanted but I'm going for CPN by 3 though. CPN/Kilcoo final would make for best value for me as a neutral (They played out a cracker last year) but can't see anyone taking the Magpies...they just know how to grind out a win. Kilcoo to beat CPN in the final by 2...but all to play for!! Really looking forward to this weekend's games...

Maybe it's a play on the word ciúin (quiet)...which would be quite ironic...that being said I don't think you have much to worry about Cuan, point won't win it (Think they've a very strong 15 but not much to bring on). Burren will walk it...Ballholland only team that can challenge them from what I've seen and that's out of sheer tenacity...Kilcoo have missed their chance

Have to agree with the Carryduff contributor, Yew f king tree is one arrogant p***k , who not only probably has never kicked a ball but doesn't know if the ball is blown up or stuffed, won't matter the point won't win the SFC, could they be on the slide given their league form and I bet there are some Carryduff people that can't wait to shove this pompous dick heads words down his throat next year when these two teams meet .

You do realise this person is from Burren yes? Cuan you seem to have a serious chip on your shoulder...it's good to talk you know

Burren really got out of jail last night...as a neutral it was intriguing but a very poor watch in terms of quality!! Both teams really didn't do themselves justice and based on that showing I don't think Harps or Yellas or CPN will be fearful of anyone. Referee as usual let the occasion get true better of him, He had a shocker in the Kilcoo-CPN semi final last year and similar head scratching calls last night. He gave Burren a soft penalty then didn't give them a stone wall one later in the second half🤔 can't see Burren playing any worse in the replay, Kerr and Toner very quiet last night and Can't see them as shackled the nex day. Burren by 4 in the replay!! Think the winner of this tie v Ballyholland would make for a good semi final...Burren v Point final hopefully!!